FORMER Kidderminster Harriers boss Mark Yates has been appointed as the new manager at Stourbridge FC.

Yates, who became first team coach at Kidderminster in 2006, and returned for another spell at the helm last year, takes over at the War Memorial after the club parted ways with former boss Ian Long on Monday.

He will be assisted by former Macclesfield Town, Cheltenham Town and Telford United player Neil Howarth - with whom he has worked before.

Yates, whose playing career included spells at Birmingham City, Burnley, Doncaster Rovers, Kidderminster Harriers and Cheltenham Town, will officially take charge of the team for their away fixture at Rushall Olympic on Saturday week, March 7.

Current interim manager Alex Nicholls, with the support of Lee Brown and goalkeeper James Wren, will remain in charge of the Glassboys for tomorrow's home league fixture against Lowestoft Town.